Canadian Parents Who Let Their Son Die of Diabetes to Make God Happy Sentenced to Life in Prison

Even though Alex Radita was diagnosed with diabetes at age 3, his parents did nothing for him. Emil and Rodica Radita refused to accept the diagnosis, which also meant they refused to treat it. Over the next dozen years, as Alex’s condition worsened, he still didn’t get any insulin.

He eventually died at the age of 15. He weighed only 37 pounds.

Court exhibit of Alex at his 15th birthday, three months before he died.

What would prompt parents to ignore medical advice and let their son suffer like this? When the trial began, the assumption was that it was their religious beliefs — in part because they had certain Bible verses in their home that suggested their were putting their son’s life in God’s hands:

The assumption was confirmed days later. The parents were members of the Romanian Pentecostal Church, and their actions were in line with the church’s teachings:

Alex Radita died and was resurrected by God the day before paramedics found his severely emaciated body in his family’s home, his parents told church members in the hours before 911 was called.

Everything about this story is disturbing — but the headline is clear: These parents let their child die because they put his life in God’s useless hands instead of letting credible doctors take care of him.

At least there’s some justice in this case. In a Calgary court on Friday, a judge found the Raditas guilty of first-degree murder:

Neither parent showed any emotion or had a comment during sentencing.

Justice [Karen] Horner sentenced them to life in prison with no chance of parole for 25 years.

“Your actions in starving your son Alex to death are beyond comprehension. You persisted in arrogant confidence…until he was dead.”

That’s the sort of harsh punishment that parents like these deserve. Religious beliefs aren’t an acceptable excuse for committing murder. The Raditas knew what they should’ve done, but they ignored the advice to please their God.

Now they’ll have plenty of time in jail to think about their criminal actions.

Keep in mind there are still six states in the U.S. that allow parents like these to avoid prosecution for negligent homicide, manslaughter, or capital murder if they can point to their religion as their reason for killing someone.